MySpace has joined YouTube, introducing tools for copyright holders to make it easy for them to remove material that they allege is unauthorized. The tool is being tested with FOX and MLB Advanced Media and will be expanded to include other verified copyright holders.

The new tool will allow copyright holders to digitally flag any user-posted video containing content that they own and allege is unauthorized. MySpace will promptly remove all videos flagged by a copyright holder.

In addition, MySpace has implemented a proprietary system to block videos that are removed at the request of a copyright owner from being re-uploaded to the site by other users.

According to MySpace, the tool will allow MySpace to more efficiently implement its long-standing policy against users uploading third-party copyrighted material by automating the “notice and take down” process that has been in existence since MySpace’s inception.

In compliance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, MySpace has enforced copyright protection through a traditional “notice and takedown” process whereby copyright holders inform MySpace of infringing content and MySpace promptly removes it from the site. With the new tool, MySpace will make it even easier for copyright holders to identify and take down user-posted videos containing unauthorized content.

The announcement comes on the heels of MySpace’s landmark licensing deal with Gracenote, which implemented fingerprinting technology to help prevent unauthorized music from being posted by users to the site.

via MySpace As You Know It Is Dead – Video Podcasting News